Green Baby Care

Anyone who has had a new baby in the house knows that for something so small, you can end up accumulating an awful lot of stuff. Expectations of a new arrival sends people into a frenzy of spending on all that experts say they will need, such as clothing, furniture, diapers, and toys. But how much of it is really necessary? When it comes to the baby’s actual needs, much of it can actually be foregone without any ramifications. When it comes to the purchases you do need to make for a new baby, it’s worth it to look into options that are environmentally friendly as well as baby friendly. Green baby care is simpler than you might think.

Feeding Your Baby

The main thing you need for the perfect baby food won’t cost you anything, is portable, and is always available at the right temperature without requiring any energy. It’s breastfeeding! Breastfeeding eliminates the need to purchase expensive formula, and also eliminates waste from those baby bottles and formula cans. You can always supplement breastfeeding by pumping milk, and then there are greener options for bottle feeding as well. Glass bottles are much more eco-friendly than plastic, which are not biodegradeable and break easier. Glass bottles can be reused and recycled. There are also green accessories for breastfeeding, such as organic creams and cloth or wool breast pads.

When baby is ready for solid food, it is healthy for baby and eco-friendly to make it yourself with organic produce by mashing or pureeing it. You don’t need to buy wasteful tiny baby food jars or boxes of cereal. By freezing extra food in ice cube trays, you can use it later when you need it.

Clothing Your Baby

The best clothing for baby and for our planet is made from sustainable fibers. Organic hemp, cotton, wool, or bamboo, all make great choices, especially if dyed with natural colors or low impact dyes. The alternative is fibers that are farmed with chemicals, which is not environmentally friendly and can be an irritant to baby’s tender skin.

Another sustainable option is to buy gently used clothing rather than new. Hand-me-downs are always available from family and friends, or for purchase at thrift stores or through local internet lists such as freecycle or Craigslist. Not only is it greener to recycle, but it saves money too.

Cloth Diapers

Disposable diapers are convenient. But there’s no getting around the fact that after that convenience they turn into tons of non-biodegradable landfill waste. Though they might sound like a hassle, cloth diapers have actually become easier and more convenient than they used to be. You no longer have to worry about folding and pinning, unless you want to. Newer cloth diapers come fitted with elastic, close with Velcro or pins, and are easier to clean. Diaper services are available in many communities to take care of the laundry.
Cloth diapers are a great investment because they can be passed on to another child and last for years.

We want to bring our babies into a world that will be around for a long time. Adding some of these eco-friendly tips to regular baby care can ensure that we have a cleaner environment for generations.